Showing off a trick

Night fell.

Luo Yang followed Ye Yiming through the doors of the Fragrant Orchid House.

The Fragrant Orchid House was a renowned upscale restaurant in Ba City. Even regulars had to book a day or two in advance to eat there, and it was expensive.

The people who dined here were all members of Ba City's elite.

The Fragrant Orchid House featured traditional Huizhou architecture, with a lightwell in the front courtyard and side rooms on either side. Orchids grew in abundance, their fragrance filling the air and lending the place an old-world charm. That was probably where the name "Fragrant Orchid House" came from.

Quiet Orchid Hall.

Luo Yang followed Ye Yiming inside. Three people were already in the room.

One was an old man with a long beard, dressed in a Tang-style jacket and about the same age as Ye Yiming. A string of opaque amber beads hung around his neck, white over a golden base. They gleamed under the lights and were clearly worth a fortune.

Another was a man in his early fifties with slicked-back hair and black-framed glasses. Dressed in a suit and polished shoes, he had an air of distinction.

The third was a young man in his early thirties with a crew cut and solid muscles. He wore a black T-shirt and sand-colored casual trousers, his relaxed outfit giving him an easygoing air.

Luo Yang gave the young man another look, feeling curious. Any old buddy of Ye Yiming's had to be getting on in years, but nothing about this man looked remotely "old."

The three men waiting in the room were also sizing up Luo Yang, all looking a little surprised. Ye Yiming's lavish praise had established his reputation as a master, but Luo Yang was so young and handsome that he hardly fit their image of one.

Luo Yang expected Ye Yiming to introduce him, but instead, Ye Yiming asked the young man, "Hu Bufei, where's your dad?"

The young man called Hu Bufei replied, "My dad got a last-minute notice to attend a meeting, so he couldn't make it. I came in his place. That's all right, isn't it?"

Ye Yiming smiled. "I watched you grow up, kid. Why wouldn't it be? Come, let me introduce you. This is Master Luo, Luo Yang."

The introduction left Luo Yang feeling a little awkward. He had only mentioned being a "master" to Ye Yiming once, and even then, he had been half joking. He hadn't expected the old man to take it seriously.

The three men nodded to Luo Yang.

Luo Yang nodded back.

Ye Yiming went on to introduce the long-bearded old man. "This is my childhood friend, the famous director Zhang Lianfeng. He's also the owner of Lianfeng Media."

Luo Yang extended both hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zhang."

Given the man's age and the fact that he was Ye Yiming's childhood friend, Luo Yang, as the junior, certainly couldn't offer just one hand.

Zhang Lianfeng didn't put on airs either. He extended both hands to shake Luo Yang's, his face full of smiles. "The younger generation really is impressive. Luo, would you like to audition at my company and try a career in entertainment?"

Luo Yang smiled and offered a polite reply. "Sure. If the opportunity comes up, I'll join one of your productions as an extra."

"An extra? The moment I saw you, I knew you had star quality. If you really wanted to act, I'd definitely cast you as the male lead." Zhang Lianfeng looked quite serious.

Ye Yiming pulled Luo Yang over to the middle-aged man in the suit, not forgetting to chide Zhang Lianfeng. "Luo is a genuine master. Why would he go into acting? Honestly."

Zhang Lianfeng muttered, "You're just afraid some actress will steal your perfect son-in-law, aren't you?"

"What was that?" Ye Yiming hadn't heard him clearly.

Zhang Lianfeng wore a perfectly innocent smile. "I said it's such a shame."

Luo Yang had heard every word of Zhang Lianfeng's muttering, and he felt terribly awkward. Still, he could only pretend he knew nothing.

"Luo, let me introduce you. This is Huang Cheng. We used to work at the same organization, and he was excellent at his job. Ten years ago, he resigned to go into business. He's the owner of the Fragrant Orchid House."

Luo Yang extended both hands to shake Huang Cheng's as well. "Hello, Uncle Huang."

The man was more than twice his age and an elder too, so Luo Yang had to observe all the proper courtesies.

Huang Cheng beamed. "Very impressive. My old boss certainly has a good eye."

Luo Yang paused briefly. There seemed to be quite a lot packed into that remark.

Ye Yiming gave a dry cough. "Luo, you already know this young man's name, so I won't repeat it. I met his father back when we were sent to the countryside as educated youths. Later, we both got into university and became classmates. We've been as close as brothers all these years. You two aren't far apart in age, so you should keep in touch."

That really did sound like a father-in-law introducing his family's relatives and friends to his son-in-law.

Luo Yang felt awkward, but he could only keep it to himself. He extended both hands again. "Hello, Brother Hu."

Hu Bufei also offered both hands and shook Luo Yang's. "Brother Luo, let's add each other on WeChat so we can stay in touch."

Luo Yang immediately took out his phone and opened WeChat. "Brother Hu, I'll scan your code."

Hu Bufei took out his phone, opened his WeChat contact card, and held it out. As Luo Yang scanned the QR code, Hu Bufei noticed the blood-red markings and eye on the back of his phone. He asked curiously, "Brother Luo, that's a pretty distinctive phone case. Where can I buy one?"

"I made it myself." As he spoke, Luo Yang sent the friend request.

He avoided naming an online shopping platform in case Hu Bufei asked him for a link. That would have been difficult to handle.

"Everyone's here. I'll have the servers bring the wine and food," Huang Cheng said.

Ye Yiming had Luo Yang sit beside him, with Zhang Lianfeng on Luo Yang's other side.

"My old boss is particular about fresh air. I'll open the window." Huang Cheng went over and opened the private room's window.

Beyond the window was a small courtyard. A lush osmanthus tree grew beside it, with a bird's nest perched in a fork of its branches. A fluffy little head poked above the edge of the nest. It belonged to a sparrow.

Luo Yang found a topic of conversation. "You have a lovely setting here, Uncle Huang. There's even a bird's nest in the tree."

Huang Cheng smiled. "If you like it, do come more often."

"I certainly will," Luo Yang said.

Zhang Lianfeng looked at Luo Yang, his eyes full of curiosity. "Luo, Ye said you're a master, that not only are your medical skills extraordinary, but you also know some unusual arts. How about showing us a trick and opening our eyes?"

Before Luo Yang could reply, Ye Yiming frowned and said, "Zhang, we're here to drink tonight. Don't stir up trouble. If you're feeling unwell, you can ask Luo to take a look, but let's leave the unusual arts out of it."

Zhang Lianfeng smiled. "Ye, I'm perfectly healthy. Can't I watch a little demonstration? You made Luo sound so amazing that I want to see for myself."

"Exactly, Uncle Ye. Let Luo show us a trick. I'd like to see it too." Hu Bufei joined in.

Ye Yiming glared at Hu Bufei. "Now you're stirring up trouble too."

Luo Yang took out his phone and held it in his hand. "Uncle Ye, everyone's in such high spirits. I'll show you all a little trick."

"All right." Ye Yiming actually wanted to see it too.

Luo Yang said, "Look, there's a bird in that tree, and it's already asleep. How about I have it fly onto my shoulder and say hello to everyone?"

All four men in the private room stared at Luo Yang, disbelief written plainly across their faces.